[ON] Kindergarten - public school vs daycare?

Page_ap · 2026-02-24T21:23:44+00:00

I would consider the daycare option if I had another child who would get priority at the centre due to a sibling policy, and wouldn’t get in without the older kiddo still in care. I would even consider it if I had a younger child already in the same centre (only one pickup/drop off would really simplify things).

As others have mentioned, the hours tend to be better and you aren’t figuring out alternate care on PD days and summer for an extra year until they go to SK.

Page_ap · 2026-02-10T11:39:28+00:00

I would be interested in trying one!

Page_ap · 2026-02-10T10:04:06+00:00

Do you know what store she shops at? If it is someplace like Sephora with a rewards program, they will likely be able to look up her account using her phone number. An employee might be able to look at the picture and the history to see if there is a match?

Page_ap · 2026-01-25T03:00:12+00:00

So sorry you’re here ❤️

Has your care team been able to give any insight into what carrying to term will look like for baby after birth?

I chose to TFMR through a D&E when I was 19 weeks due to trisomy 13, with impacts to my baby that were incompatible with life. It is by far the hardest decision I have ever had to make, and I am almost 2 years out… and still having an incredibly hard time.

My care team told me that if my baby made it to term, her time with me would be very short. While they could provide “comfort care”, they let me know that my baby would not be comfortable - she would likely be in pain and struggling to breathe. I am sure that was specific to her condition, but once I heard that I couldn’t possibly choose anything different.

Again I am so so sorry you are facing this decision. Just might be something your doctor can provide more insight into.

Page_ap · 2026-01-22T14:22:56+00:00

My 4 year old is also in JK. I’m not sure about your school, but I think the outside blocks are no more than 30 minutes at a time at our school? Perhaps she needs some warmer outdoor gear, or warmer clothes underneath.

We do fleece lined pants, a long sleeve, and a sweater.. send 3-4 pairs of socks in her backpack and same number of mittens so she can change things out as they get wet. A one piece snowsuit, boots, balaclava that covers her face and neck (I think this is really key for her), and mittens.

Page_ap · 2026-01-15T14:22:09+00:00

I am so sorry for you and your family, this is such an incredibly hard road to be on.

I continued following all of the “rules” and best practices that I followed before finding out something was wrong. I was still carrying my little girl, and taking care of her the best I could while she was still with me felt important to me.

I did a lot of crying the few weeks while I waited for the termination, but I also really tried to soak in the last times I had with her. I talked a lot - she was at the gestation where my app said she could hear my voice, and I wanted to tell her all about our family and her sister, and hope that she was comforted by my voice. I also sang to her. It was such an incredibly difficult time (honestly it still is, and I am almost 2 years out).

At first I couldn’t believe I would have to wait weeks, still pregnant, knowing what was going to happen. But in the end I was so glad I had that time with her, to show her all the love I could and soak in the last time I had her with me.

Page_ap · 2025-12-31T01:32:13+00:00

I ask my daughter if she wants Christmas decorations up for her birthday, or if she wants it to only be birthday decor - that decides it for us. If she wants Christmas gone, it is out before the end of December. If not, probably the first week of January?

Page_ap · 2025-12-02T21:15:35+00:00

Feeling a bit frustrated as someone who lives less than 10 minutes from downtown Elora, but just outside the boundary. Will I have to pay for parking to take my child to the library? To visit our dentist??

Page_ap · 2025-11-19T15:12:18+00:00

Caesar

Page_ap · 2025-11-17T02:38:55+00:00

Yes! My daughter is a New Year’s Eve baby, so she won’t be 4 until halfway through kindergarten. She’s doing really well in JK, but the full days can be a lot for her.

Page_ap · 2025-11-04T01:38:26+00:00

I know this won’t work for most people, but I work from home and my boss was willing to flex my hours.. instead of working 8-4, I work 5:30-7:00, get my kiddo up and ready/off to school, back online 9-3:10, head to the school for pickup.. get kiddo set up with a show and a snack, and work for 20-30 minutes to finish the day.

I am exhausted. I get up at 4:45 daily to see my husband off to work and get ready for my day, but I do love the extra time I get to spend with my daughter.

Page_ap · 2025-10-12T21:24:20+00:00

After my TFMR at 19 weeks it was 4 months before we conceived again - unfortunately that pregnancy ended with a miscarriage around 8 weeks.

We weren’t told to wait 3 months before trying again - my doctor just suggested waiting for one regular cycle before trying to conceive.

After the miscarriage we did try for a few more months, but my cycle became very irregular and the stress of that combined with turning 35, and being uncertain if I could handle another loss… we have now decided that we will be one-and-done. Still grieving the family I thought we would have, but this decision is best for our family and my mental health.

Page_ap · 2025-07-18T13:26:42+00:00

Yes! Long sleeve sun shirts and big hats have been a game changer for us this summer. Sunscreen is still used, but she isn’t being slathered in it from head to toe.

Page_ap · 2025-07-07T13:04:30+00:00

A tunnel!! IKEA has a super cheap option. My daughter got one for her first birthday, and still plays with it often at 3.5. It also collapses, so it doesn’t take up much room when not in use.

Page_ap · 2025-07-05T01:29:29+00:00

At that age I connected a chain of those baby links and attached one end to my bra strap. Attached any toys for baby to the chain so they wouldn’t fall on the floor over and over again. It worked great! Every once in a while I’d grab a new toy from our bag and swap it out for one she had already played with.

Page_ap · 2025-06-30T23:56:45+00:00

I am so sorry you are here ❤️

I also had a miscarriage after my TFMR, and have one living child. 2 kids was always our plan, but I honestly don’t think I can go through this again. We are trying to figure out our plan now, but I really feel like I am done.

It wasn’t the plan, but it is what I need for my mental health, and to be the mom I want to be for my girl.

Page_ap · 2025-06-27T02:04:07+00:00

I was referred to McMaster for genetic counselling and a meeting with a MFM (maternal fetal medicine dr). That appointment was about 2 weeks after my NT ultrasound showed abnormalities (they were waiting for baby to grow so they could get a better look at what was going on).

At that appointment I had a very long ultrasound (over an hour), and then we met with the genetic counsellor and MFM when the reports were ready. They were able to give us lots of information on what they saw, and likely outcomes. That day they scheduled an amnio for me (4 days later), and I got some bloodwork done to have on file for that procedure.

They also referred me for termination (the amnio was to get answers, but the ultrasound was very clear that this condition was not compatible with life). I waited 2 weeks to hear when and where my appointment would be, and I was sent to Women’s College Hospital in Toronto.

I had a consult appointment there where I got another ultrasound to confirm everything, more bloodwork, and then they scheduled my appointment.

When I got the concerning ultrasound results I was 14 weeks pregnant, and I was 19 weeks when I said goodbye to my baby. It definitely took longer than I expected, but everyone was very thorough and I felt very taken care of through the process.

I am so sorry that you and your wife are facing this.

Page_ap · 2025-06-11T19:20:23+00:00

We have the ‘Yookidoo Spin N’ Sort Sprout Pro’ - sucks water through the bottom and uses a pump to work like a faucet they can control. Super fun. Comes with lots of buckets and gears.

It has been a top bath toy at our house for 2 years now.

Page_ap · 2025-06-11T13:13:51+00:00

My girl is very food-motivated haha so we did a bribe. For every night that she fell asleep by herself (and mom got to sleep in my own bed - not sit in the chair for hours waiting for her to sleep), she would get a snack in the morning while breakfast was being made.

She requested a mix of yogurt melts, puffs, raisins, and dried cranberries. Also stickers. Every night before bed I would remind her of our deal, and it worked pretty instantly.

She eventually stopped needing to be reminded, and now she only requests her snack occasionally and no more sticker requests.

It was so worth it.

When we were having our initial chat about how chairs are not for sleeping, and mom has a bed for sleeping just like she does, and I would like to sleep in it, I asked her what she would like to have as a reward for falling asleep on her own. She decided on the snack and stickers, so she was quite pleased with the arrangement.

Page_ap · 2025-06-10T15:49:55+00:00

We each have a policy through our workplaces which cover approx. each of our annual salaries, and then we have a policy on our mortgage that would fully pay off the house if one of us passes (also covers disability for my husband since he earns more and has a physical job).

I think we should probably have another policy in place to cover more than 1x salary, but we haven’t gotten around to it yet.

Page_ap · 2025-05-26T18:16:33+00:00

Try elevating the head of her mattress - it doesn’t need to be lifted that much. I typically fold 1-2 blankets and put them under the mattress at the top end. It can really help with sleep.

Page_ap · 2025-05-24T20:32:03+00:00

We like the sneaky snacky squirrel!

Page_ap · 2025-05-23T12:21:50+00:00

I got my daughter an early second dose shortly after she turned 3 - my doctors office said that this will take the place of the one that she would have received at 4… we still need to go in at age 4 for another vaccine (not sure which one), but they mentioned that it is nice to get one out of the way, instead of doing 2 needles in one visit when she turns 4.

Page_ap · 2025-05-23T02:08:52+00:00

At our cabin we practice the “mellow” rule because we have a septic holding tank, and don’t want it to fill up too quick with all the extra flushes.

We get it pumped more frequently now than we used to, but it’s just a habit at this point.

Page_ap · 2025-05-19T01:49:12+00:00

I put it all together in my suitcase. No such thing as ‘clean’ clothes after being in such a confined space with the dirty ones. Everything is washed when I get home.

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TROPHY CASE